Should You Bring Your Car To Panama?

The short answer is No. Unless you are unusually attached to your car, I would highly recommend buying a vehicle here in Panama. However, not everyone agrees.  Check out what Sheryl says. Sheryl is happy she shipped her car (and other stuff) to Panama. Why Buy A Car Here? Shipping your car into Panama is expensive. Actually shipping … Read more

Tips On Hiring an Employee in Panama

3 workers at a cement block house construction site

Panama offers expats amazing buying power. Housing is inexpensive compared with many places in the US and Canada. Food costs are cheaper, especially if you shop at vegetable stands, fish and meat markets, or buy from local farmers. Labor costs are similar to those paid 30 years, or more, ago in  the US. For example, a gardener … Read more

Oops MultiPlaza Mall Forgot To Pay The Water Bill

It is not unusual for people not to pay their water bill in Panama. For years. Common for Panamanians that is. I’m not sure you could get away with that as an expat. One of our maids had to pay IDAAN (the water company) the $600 she owed before they would fix her pipes.   It is … Read more

Panama City’s Natural History Museum Finally Opens

Looking for something to do in Panama City? Visit the newly opened BioMuseo. After promising it would open any day now for the last 2 years, it opened its doors early this month (Oct. 2nd). It has been under-construction, including significant amount of time with no construction, for the last 10 years. I have driven […]

Beer In Panama – Part 2 – Micro-Brews & BeerFest

Glass of beer with bottle of Chivopero IPA next to it and man behind drinking a glass of beer

October 26, 2014 Panama City is becoming increasingly upscale and sophisticated. It not only has the new museum designed by world renown architect Frank Gehry, but micro-brews. There are at least 4 micro-breweries that I have heard about: Casa Bruja Brewing Co. Istmo Brew Pub La Rana Dorada Cerveceria Legitima I really like Casa Bruja’s … Read more

Beer In Panama – Part 1 – Taste, Cost & More

October 25, 2014 Will you like the beer in Panama? You can get a sense of whether or not you will by reading this post. – The beers of Panama – How they taste – How much they cost – A bit of Panama beer history In Part 2, you can learn about the Panama’s … Read more

President Varela Flew Into Town With Good News For Puerto Armuelles

October 10, 2014 On Tuesday Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela flew his presidential helicopter to Puerto 
Armuelles. The President was here to announce: Return of Chiquita To Puerto Armuelles Update on Creation a Multi-use Port Chiquita Banana (Chiquita Brands) The President made his announcement at the banana plantations outside of Puerto Armuelles. To “virtually” travel … Read more

How To Pay A Traffic Ticket in Panama

UPDATE – 3/25/19 – Includes new location in David, online info options, and more. Did you get a traffic ticket in Panama? No worries. It isn’t hard to pay a ticket. But it can be inconvenient since it must be paid in person.   However, you can have someone pay it for you.  We have done … Read more

2 – Your Monthly Panama Budget – Popular Expat Towns

The More Touristy The Town The More It Costs. Your Choices Matter Too (e.g., A 25 cent sno-cone vs a 75 cent soda) Location. Your balboa won’t stretch as far in some places as in others. That is why the “Your Monthly Panama Budget” series, focus on location. In Part 1, we looked at the … Read more

Driving In Panama

Updated: July 4, 2017 In this post, I describe many aspects of driving in Panama Driving Safety in Panama Getting around Panama City  The Rules & Laws for Driving What You Really Need to Know WAZE app Speeding & Speed Limits  Police Checkpoints About Car Accidents Driving in Panama is a pretty safe and easy thing to do. … Read more

7 Steps To Buy A Used Car In Panama

This post has 2 sections: Our Experience Buying A Car In Panama 7 Steps You Should Follow To Buy A Used Car in Panama With vital tidbits along the way, like What Is the Best Car to Buy in Panama Where & When Should You Purchase Your Car Our Experience — Why A New Used … Read more

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